Army donates Rp 1b for quake victims

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu has donated Rp 1 billion (US$120,841) to help finance rehabilitation projects in the West Irian Jaya regency of Nabire which was hit by a strong earthquake on Feb. 6.

Spokesman for the Trikora Military Command overseeing Papua and West Irian Jaya Maj. G.T. Situmorang said here on Thursday that the funds received from the military foundation Sekata Dalam Nestapa were handed over by Trikora Military Command Chief Maj. Gen. Nurdin Zainal to Paniai Military District Chief Lt. Col. Totok Suruno in Nabire on Tuesday.

He said that a greater portion of the donation, which was given to express the military's solidarity with the people, especially those affected by natural disasters, would be used to rebuild a mosque, church and elementary school buildings which were left in ruins after the tremor that killed at least 37 people, injured 157 and displaced 2,000 others.

A smaller portion, or Rp 250 million, of the funds would be used to rebuild the damaged houses of Army personnel in the regency, he added.

Situmorang said further that the Army had also deployed around 150 personnel to carry out a civic mission to help the local administration repair damaged public infrastructure.

He said that Nurdin also expressed his pride in the military personnel in Nabire who had given assistance to all victims although they were also affected by the quake.

"The military command chief has called on military personnel in Nabire to continue to care of the needy, the sick and the vulnerable in their own environment," he said.

Asked about the huge amount of funds, Situmorang said that it was aimed at encouraging the nation's other sectors to take similar action in the face of disaster.

"All components of society have a moral obligation to show their solidarity for the sick, the needy and the vulnerable in efforts to strengthen national resilience," he said.